Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a polynucleotide which can be inserted into an expression vector and can enhance the transcriptional activity of a predetermined promoter under heart failure. The object is achieved by an enhancer polynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide consisting of a sequence having 80% or more identity with a sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, or a polynucleotide consisting of a sequence having 80% or more identity with a sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the enhancer polynucleotide responds to heart failure (where the enhancer polynucleotide excludes a polynucleotide having the same sequence as a sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 13 and a polynucleotide having the same sequence as a sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 12).

Abstract: A laminate that includes a metal layer that is not easily separated from a substrate, a method for producing the laminate, and a method for forming a fine conductive pattern that exhibits high conductivity, are disclosed. The peel strength of a metal layer included in a laminate that includes a polymer layer provided between a substrate and the metal layer is improved by implementing a structure in which the metal that forms the metal layer is chemically bonded to COO that extends from the polymer main chain that forms the polymer layer at the interface between the metal layer and the polymer layer. A fine conductive pattern that exhibits high conductivity can be formed by applying UV light to a pattern area of an insulating film formed on a substrate, and applying an ink prepared by dispersing metal nanoparticles in a solvent to the substrate to effect adhesion and aggregation of the ink in the pattern area, the surface of the metal nanoparticles being protected by an organic molecule layer.

Abstract: A laminate that includes a metal layer that is not easily separated from a substrate, a method for producing the laminate, and a method for forming a fine conductive pattern that exhibits high conductivity, are disclosed. The peel strength of a metal layer included in a laminate that includes a polymer layer provided between a substrate and the metal layer is improved by implementing a structure in which the metal that forms the metal layer is chemically bonded to COO that extends from the polymer main chain that forms the polymer layer at the interface between the metal layer and the polymer layer. A fine conductive pattern that exhibits high conductivity can be formed by applying UV light to a pattern area of an insulating film formed on a substrate, and applying an ink prepared by dispersing metal nanoparticles in a solvent to the substrate to effect adhesion and aggregation of the ink in the pattern area, the surface of the metal nanoparticles being protected by an organic molecule layer.

Abstract: A laminate that includes a metal layer that is not easily separated from a substrate, a method for producing the laminate, and a method for forming a fine conductive pattern that exhibits high conductivity, are disclosed. The peel strength of a metal layer included in a laminate that includes a polymer layer provided between a substrate and the metal layer is improved by implementing a structure in which the metal that forms the metal layer is chemically bonded to COO that extends from the polymer main chain that forms the polymer layer at the interface between the metal layer and the polymer layer. A fine conductive pattern that exhibits high conductivity can be formed by applying UV light to a pattern area of an insulating film formed on a substrate, and applying an ink prepared by dispersing metal nanoparticles in a solvent to the substrate.

Abstract: An optical component comprises an optical transmission element (e.g., an optical lens) whose circumferential wall partially joins a metal holder via a joining material (e.g., a low melting point glass), wherein stress is normally applied to the optical transmission element in a compression direction when joining the metal holder. The optical transmission element is inserted into a through hole of the metal holder, and the joining material is kept in a bank actualized by a tapered portion formed in proximity to one end of the through hole of the metal holder. This prevents tensile stress from being applied to the optical transmission element; thus, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of cracks and separations in the optical transmission element; and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of errors in optical characteristics, regardless of variations of the environmental temperature, so that, the optical component is improved in reliability.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a reflector tiltably supported by an aiming mechanism intervening between the reflector and a lamp body. An aiming fulcrum forming the aiming mechanism is formed with a ball joint including a pivot on the reflector side and a bearing on the lamp body side. The pivot is formed with a shaft portion on the base end side and a ball portion on the front end side. The bearing is formed with a cylindrical ball bearing portion formed on the inner periphery where a ball supporting surface in press-contact with the ball portion opening forward via a ring-like diameter reducing portion. Vertical slits are provided in the open peripheral edge portion of the ball bearing portion. The ball portion is formed into a substantially hemispheric ball portion such that its front side press-fitted into the ball bearing portion has a spherical surface.

Abstract: An optical component comprises an optical transmission element (e.g., an optical lens) whose circumferential wall partially joins a metal holder via a joining material (e.g., a low melting point glass), wherein stress is normally applied to the optical transmission element in a compression direction when joining the metal holder. The optical transmission element is inserted into a through hole of the metal holder, and the joining material is kept in a bank actualized by a tapered portion formed in proximity to one end of the through hole of the metal holder. This prevents tensile stress from being applied to the optical transmission element; thus, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of cracks and separations in the optical transmission element; and it is possible to avoid the occurrence of errors in optical characteristics, regardless of variations of the environmental temperature, so that, the optical component is improved in reliability.

Abstract: A tunable dispersion compensation device comprises an optical waveguide having a grating, a plurality of heaters arranged along an optical axis of the optical waveguide, and a pulsed-current supplying unit for producing a desired temperature distribution in the grating by supplying a plurality of pulsed currents to the plurality of heaters, respectively. The grating can be a chirped grating. The pulsed-current supplying unit can include a pulse width control unit for adjusting the pulse widths of the plurality of pulsed currents supplied to the plurality of heaters, respectively, according to the desired temperature distribution to be produced in the grating. Preferably, the pulsed-current supplying unit supplies the plurality of pulsed currents to the plurality of heaters at different times, respectively.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp includes a reflector tiltably supported by an aiming mechanism intervening between the reflector and a lamp body. An aiming fulcrum forming the aiming mechanism is formed with a ball joint including a pivot on the reflector side and a bearing on the lamp body side. The pivot is formed with a shaft portion on the base end side and a ball portion on the front end side. The bearing is formed with a cylindrical ball bearing portion formed on the inner periphery where a ball supporting surface in press-contact with the ball portion opening forward via a ring-like diameter reducing portion. Vertical slits are provided in the open peripheral edge portion of the ball bearing portion. The ball portion is formed into a substantially hemispheric ball portion such that its front side press-fitted into the ball bearing portion has a spherical surface.

Abstract: A tunable dispersion compensation device comprises an optical waveguide having a grating, a plurality of heaters arranged along an optical axis of the optical waveguide, and a pulsed-current supplying unit for producing a desired temperature distribution in the grating by supplying a plurality of pulsed currents to the plurality of heaters, respectively. The grating can be a chirped grating. The pulsed-current supplying unit can include a pulse width control unit for adjusting the pulse widths of the plurality of pulsed currents supplied to the plurality of heaters, respectively, according to the desired temperature distribution to be produced in the grating. Preferably, the pulsed-current supplying unit supplies the plurality of pulsed currents to the plurality of heaters at different times, respectively.

Abstract: A first panel element and a second panel element, each having at least one display layer, are positioned and opposed to each other. The elements are progressively adhered from a staring position with an adhesive material supplied beforehand. Examples of the adhesive material include those which are in a liquid state before curing (such as photo-curing adhesive materials), and also include adhesive sheets. The adhesive material having fluidity can be spread between the two panel elements in the adhering step.

Abstract: A liquid crystal panel is manufactured through several steps. First and second substrates are positioned on first and second stages and then preheated to a certain temperature. A liquid crystal is applied on one end portion of first or second substrates. Then, the first and second substrate are opposed and superimposed at one end portions via the liquid crystal. A press member presses the one end portion while the first stage is moved relative to the press member, so that the press member presses incremental portions of the substrates to make an initial bonding thereof At this moment, the liquid material is extended toward the opposite end portions of the substrates. The bonded substrates are again pressed and heated while the first stage moves relative to the heat member. This causes the incremental portions to be heated and thereby bonded permanently.

Abstract: A pin device including a plurality of rib members formed radially on a lamp body, at least a part of each rib member integrated to one another, and a pin member so formed as to integrally project from the integrated parts of these rib members beyond upper edges of the rib members, and since the pin member is supported on the lamp body through the plurality of rib members, the required mechanical strength can be maintained while avoiding the undesirable shrinkage phenomena because no resin thicker portion formed on the back surface of the lamp body and, further, since the area of each rib member is not necessary to enlarge, a compact pin device can be accomplished and, furthermore, there is no need of a slide core because every parts of the pin device extends in the same direction as the retracting direction of the mold core for molding the lamp body.

Abstract: In vehicular headlamp an adjusting shaft is provided in a lamp housing for adjusting the irradiating angle of the headlamp. The adjusting shaft is threadedly joined to a nut formed with a threaded hole and a notch which opens the threaded hole into a side surface. The threaded shaft portion of the adjusting shaft is engaged with the threaded hole through the notch.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a poly-V pulley includes a process for slitting and compressing the peripheral edge portion of an essentially flat blank for forming a widened and thickened flange wall. A series of relatively narrow, deep, V-shaped grooves are cold rolled. The poly-V pulley thus produced has the flange wall with poly-V grooves, from the intermediate portion of which a web extends radially inward. This structure provides good dynamic balance of rotation for the pulley and thus prolongs the life not only of the pulleys per se but also the belt to be put around the pulley. Further, the manufacturing method allows the manufacture of relatively small diameter poly-V pulleys.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a poly-V pulley includes a process for slitting and compressing the peripheral edge portion of an essentially flat blank for forming a widened and thickened flange wall. A series of relatively narrow, deep, V-shaped grooves are cold rolled. The poly-V pulley thus produced has the flange wall with poly-V grooves, from the intermediate portion of which a web extends radially inward. This structure provides good dynamic balance of rotation for the pulley and thus prolongs the life not only of the pulleys per se but also the belt to be put around the pulley. Further, the manufacturing method allows the manufacture of relatively small diameter poly-V pulleys.

Abstract: An L-shaped bulb socket comprising an L-shaped socket consisting of a bulb receiving portion and a connector receiving portion and a pair of L-shaped terminal members which are inserted into the socket body through the terminal inserting holes formed in the bulb receiving section and the connector receiving portion of the socket body.